San Diego-based investment research and fund company Altegris and New York-based investment tech firm Artivest announced on Thursday plans to merge under the name Artivest. James Waldinger, CEO and founder of Artivest, said that he hoped the merger would democratize access to alternatives by bringing Altegris research and products together with Artivest’s technological platforms connecting advisors with private equity investments and hedge funds. “This integration will create the solutions-driven marketplace our clients want.